Kevin Love shoots a free throw during a pre-Olympic exhibition game against the Dominican Republic at Thomas & Mack Center on July 12, 2012, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)

For all of Kevin Love's sniping about personnel moves the Timberwolves have or have not made this offseason, Minnesota's robo-rebounder has more personal matters to address.

The 2012 Summer Olympics in London offers an international stage for Love to showcase talents that effectively have been obscured in pro basketball's hinterland. He won a gold medal for the United States at the 2010 world championships but has never suited up for an NBA postseason game.

Now he finds himself a reserve forward among a galaxy of superstars, and Love realizes the opportunity he has playing for and against the best players in the world at the most prestigious tournament on the planet.

"Just being around these guys is great for me and what I'll bring be able to bring back to the Timberwolves, trying to step up and be a leader," Love said last week after arriving in England. "These are the greatest players in this league. They have played for and won championships, MVPs, taken their teams to the playoffs. It's good for me to be around them and see their work ethic and try to emulate that."

There is plenty for Love to absorb.

Team USA's 12-man roster features players who have won seven NBA championships and combined to play more than 700 playoff games. Moreover, Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Chris Paul and Deron Williams return after winning gold at the 2008 Beijing Games.

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"It definitely means a lot to play for your country," Love said. "I was part of it in 2010, but this is at a whole new level. We don't take the Olympics lightly. It's a very exciting time."

Much has changed since Love last played for Team USA.

He became an all-star for the first time in 2011-12. He finished tied with Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins for most offensive rebounds per game (4.1), first in double-doubles (48) and sixth in MVP voting. Love also signed a four-year, $62 million contract extension with Minnesota that allows him to opt out after three seasons.

That escape clause underscores Love's impatience with Wolves management, which he has challenged to assemble a playoff-contending roster for him to commit long term to the franchise, and the confidence he has to speak out.

On the court, Love has trimmed his athletic frame to become more of an outside scoring threat. And his ability to pull down rebounds and chuck court-length passes to fast-breaking shooters highlights his emerging versatility.

Love is a natural forward but expects to play minutes at center during the Olympics, which could create matchup issues against more diminutive international lineups.

"Kevin has changed his body," Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "He has become more athletic, stronger and a quicker shooter. Kevin Love is very smart. He is a smart basketball player, but he is also smart as a person. For example, he is like, 'What do I need to do ... to do that at that level?' Before, he was just a contributor for us. Now he wants to be a star for us. He's changed dramatically. He was a good player then (2010), but he is a much better player now."

Team USA starts its gold-medal defense Sunday, July 29, against France. Love is only 23 but acknowledges this might be his only shot at an Olympic medal if USA Basketball opts to limit NBA player participation to those 23 and under. He wants to make it count.

"This is the opportunity of a lifetime. I just want to take in the whole thing, all the different experiences on and off the court," Love said. "(NBA Commissioner David) Stern and the powers that be might put in the rule of 23, and this might the one time I get to do this. I don't want to miss out on anything."